Transmission Timing Adjustment Method and Device

ABSTRACT

A transmission timing adjustment method and device are provided. The method includes: determining, by a base station, a transmission delay between user equipment (UE) and the base station; generating, a timing advance (TA) quantized value according to the transmission delay, where the TA quantized value includes a base value and an offset value, quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precision MTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantization precision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a LTE system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs; and sending, by the base station, the TA quantized value to the UE, where the TA quantized value is used for uplink transmission timing adjustment of the UE. The embodiments facilitate network planning and optimization.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/225,770, filed on Dec. 19, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/471,417, filed on Mar. 28, 2017, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,194,413. which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2014/087962, filed on Sep. 30, 2014. All of theafore-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to communicationstechnologies, and in particular, to a transmission timing adjustmentmethod and device.

BACKGROUND

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system of the 3rd Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP), each user equipment (UE) uses a single-carrier frequencydivision multiple access transmission technology in an uplink direction.To ensure orthogonality between uplink signals of UEs, the uplinksignals of the UEs need to arrive at a receive end of a base station ata same time, that is, uplink synchronization is needed.

The UE may ensure uplink synchronization by using a random accessprocess. In the random access process, the UE sends a random accesspreamble to the base station. After receiving and detecting the randomaccess preamble, the base station sends a random access response to theUE. The random access response includes a timing advance command, sothat the UE performs transmission timing adjustment according to thetiming advance command. The UE adjusts uplink transmission timing of aphysical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink sharedchannel (PUSCH), and a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to thetiming advance command.

With development of a self-organizing network (SON), the transmissiontiming adjustment may further be applied to network planning andoptimization. For example, the base station may analyze signal qualityand UE distribution in different areas according to information reportedby the UEs in measurement reports and according to timing advance (TA)information of the UEs, thereby learning information about coverage andtraffic of a station, and determining whether a macro base station or amicro base station needs to be added to an area with poor coverage orhigh traffic or whether an antenna angle of the station needs to beadjusted. However, a current transmission timing adjustment mechanismhas an adverse impact on accuracy of network planning and optimization.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a transmission timingadjustment method and device, so that transmission timing adjustment ismore beneficial to network planning and optimization.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides atransmission timing adjustment method, including:

determining, by a base station, a transmission delay between userequipment UE and the base station;

generating, by the base station, a timing advance TA quantized valueaccording to the transmission delay, where the TA quantized valueincludes a base value and an offset value, quantization precision of thebase value is first quantization precision MTs, quantization precisionof the offset value is second quantization precision NTs, M is apositive integer less than or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integerless than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs; and

sending, by the base station, the TA quantized value to the UE, wherethe TA quantized value is used for uplink transmission timing adjustmentof the UE.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the first aspect, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect,N is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of thefirst aspect, the generating, by the base station, a TA quantized valueaccording to the transmission delay includes:

quantizing the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain a quantized value and a remainder of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the base value; and

quantizing the remainder by using the second quantization precision NTs,to obtain a quantized value of the remainder, where the quantized valueof the remainder is the offset value.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of thefirst aspect, when N is 1, the generating, by the base station, a TAquantized value according to the transmission delay includes:

quantizing the transmission delay by using the second quantizationprecision NTs, to obtain an intermediate quantized value; and

performing a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantized value,and performing rounding to obtain the base value, where a remainder isused as the offset value.

With reference to any one of the first to the fourth possibleimplementation manners of the first aspect, in a fifth possibleimplementation manner of the first aspect, during random access, thebase value occupies 11 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits; or

during non-random access, the base value occupies 6 bits, and the offsetvalue occupies 4 bits.

With reference to the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementationmanner of the first aspect, M is less than 16, N is 0, and thegenerating, by the base station, a TA quantized value according to thetransmission delay includes:

quantizing the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain the quantized value of the transmission delay,where the quantized value of the transmission delay is the TA quantizedvalue.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect,M is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to theseventh possible implementation manners of the first aspects, in aneighth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, thetransmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV), where

during random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference); or

during non-random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference)+(UE Rx−Txtime difference),

where the “eNB Rx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between areceiving time and a transmitting time of the base station, and the “UERx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between a receiving timeand a transmitting time of the UE.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the eighthpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a ninth possibleimplementation manner of the first aspect, the base station sends the TAquantized value by using a TA command.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the ninthpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a tenth possibleimplementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes:

receiving a measurement report and call information that are sent by theUE;

determining network coverage information and traffic informationaccording to the TA quantized value, the measurement report, and thecall information; and

performing network planning or optimization according to the networkcoverage information and the traffic information.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a transmission timing adjustment method, including:

receiving, by user equipment UE, a timing advance TA quantized valuesent by a base station, where the TA quantized value includes a basevalue and an offset value, quantization precision of the base value isfirst quantization precision MTs, quantization precision of the offsetvalue is second quantization precision NTs, M is a positive integer lessthan or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is aminimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and has a valueof 1/30.72 μs;

determining, by the UE, a transmission timing adjustment amountaccording to the TA quantized value; and

performing, by the UE, uplink transmission timing adjustment accordingto the transmission timing adjustment amount.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the secondaspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect,N is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits,and the offset value occupies 4 bits; or

during non-random access, the base value occupies 6 bits, and the offsetvalue occupies 4 bits.

With reference to any one of the first to the third possibleimplementation manners of the second aspect, in a fourth possibleimplementation manner of the second aspect, during random access, thetransmission timing adjustment amount is N_(TA),N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, a unit of N_(TA) is Ts, T_(A_BASE)is the base value, and T_(A_OFFSET) is the offset value; or

during non-random access, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new), N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, aunit of N_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value, m is [a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] representsrounding up or rounding down.

With reference to the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, M is less than 16, N is 0, and the TAquantized value is the base value.

With reference to the fifth possible implementation manner of the secondaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the second aspect,M is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to any one of the second aspect or the first to the sixthpossible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a seventhpossible implementation manner of the second aspect, the UE receives theTA quantized value by using a TA command.

With reference to any one of the second aspect or the first to theseventh possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in aneighth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the methodfurther includes:

sending a measurement report and call information to the base station,so that the base station determines network coverage information andtraffic information according to the TA quantized value, the measurementreport, and the call information.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a basestation, including:

a delay determining module, configured to determine a transmission delaybetween user equipment UE and the base station;

a quantized-value generation module, configured to generate a timingadvance TA quantized value according to the transmission delay, wherethe TA quantized value includes a base value and an offset value,quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precisionMTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantizationprecision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is anonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs; and

a sending module, configured to send the TA quantized value to the UE,where the TA quantized value is used for uplink transmission timingadjustment of the UE.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect,N is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of thethird aspect, the quantized-value generation module is specificallyconfigured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain a quantized value and a remainder of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the base value; and

quantize the remainder by using the second quantization precision NTs,to obtain a quantized value of the remainder, where the quantized valueof the remainder is the offset value.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of thethird aspect, when N is 1, the quantized-value generation module isspecifically configured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the second quantizationprecision NTs, to obtain an intermediate quantized value; and

perform a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantized value, andperform rounding to obtain the base value, where a remainder is used asthe offset value.

With reference to any one of the first to the fourth possibleimplementation manners of the third aspect, in a fifth possibleimplementation manner of the third aspect, during random access, thebase value occupies 11 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits; or

during non-random access, the base value occupies 6 bits, and the offsetvalue occupies 4 bits.

With reference to the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, M is less than 16, N is 0, and thequantized-value generation module is specifically configured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain the quantized value of the transmission delay,where the quantized value of the transmission delay is the TA quantizedvalue.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner of the third aspect,M is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to theseventh possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in aneighth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, thetransmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV), where

during random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference); or

during non-random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference)+(UE Rx−Txtime difference),

where the “eNB Rx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between areceiving time and a transmitting time of the base station, and the “UERx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between a receiving timeand a transmitting time of the UE.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the eighthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a ninth possibleimplementation manner of the third aspect, the base station sends the TAquantized value by using a TA command.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the ninthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a tenth possibleimplementation manner of the third aspect, the base station furtherincludes:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement report and callinformation that are sent by the UE; and

an optimization module, configured to: determine network coverageinformation and traffic information according to the TA quantized value,the measurement report, and the call information, and perform networkplanning or optimization according to the network coverage informationand the traffic information.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides user equipment, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a timing advance TA quantizedvalue sent by a base station, where the TA quantized value includes abase value and an offset value, quantization precision of the base valueis first quantization precision MTs, quantization precision of theoffset value is second quantization precision NTs, M is a positiveinteger less than or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integer less thanM, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) systemand has a value of 1/30.72 μs;

a transmission timing determining module, configured to determine atransmission timing adjustment amount according to the TA quantizedvalue; and

an adjustment module, configured to perform uplink transmission timingadjustment according to the transmission timing adjustment amount.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourthaspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect,N is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to the first or the second possible implementation mannerof the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits,and the offset value occupies 4 bits; or

during non-random access, the base value occupies 6 bits, and the offsetvalue occupies 4 bits.

With reference to any one of the first to the third possibleimplementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possibleimplementation manner of the fourth aspect, during random access, thetransmission timing adjustment amount is N_(TA),N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, a unit of N_(TA) is Ts, T_(A_BASE)is the base value, and T_(A_OFFSET) is the offset value; or

during non-random access, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new), N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, aunit of N_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value, m is [a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] representsrounding up or rounding down.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, M is less than 16, N is 0, and the TAquantized value is the base value.

With reference to the fifth possible implementation manner of the fourthaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect,M is 1, 2, 4, or 8.

With reference to any one of the fourth aspect or the first to the sixthpossible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a seventhpossible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the UE receives theTA quantized value by using a TA command.

With reference to any one of the fourth aspect or the first to theseventh possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in aneighth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the userequipment further includes:

a sending module, configured to send a measurement report and callinformation to the base station, so that the base station determinesnetwork coverage information and traffic information according to the TAquantized value, the measurement report, and the call information.

According to the transmission timing adjustment method and deviceprovided in the embodiments of the present invention, in the method, atransmission delay between UE and a base station is determined, and a TAquantized value is generated according to the transmission delay. In theembodiments, the TA quantized value is improved. The TA quantized valueincludes a base value and an offset value, and quantization precision isdesigned. Quantization precision of the base value is first quantizationprecision MTs, quantization precision of the offset value is secondquantization precision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equalto 16, N is a nonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum timeunit in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72μs. The quantization precision is designed, so that a step of atransmission timing adjustment amount is finer, and therefore, adistance corresponding to a minimum step is also finer and is morepractical for an actual network application. The embodiments of thepresent invention have a significant advantage in network planning andoptimization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentinvention more clearly, the following briefly introduces theaccompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or theprior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the followingdescription show merely some embodiments of the present invention, andpersons of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawingsfrom these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a transmission timingadjustment method according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a quantizationprocess according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a quantizationprocess according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a transmission timingadjustment method according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a signaling flow diagram of Embodiment 3 of a transmissiontiming adjustment method according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a signaling flow diagram of Embodiment 4 of a transmissiontiming adjustment method according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of a basestation according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of a basestation according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of userequipment according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of userequipment according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of a basestation according to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of userequipment according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following clearly describes the technical solutions in theembodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, thedescribed embodiments are merely a part rather than all of theembodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained bypersons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of thepresent invention without creative efforts shall fall within theprotection scope of the present invention.

In a current transmission timing adjustment mechanism, transmissiontiming adjustment changes by an integer multiple of 16 Ts, where Ts is aminimum time unit in an LTE system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs. Atransmission timing adjustment amount is an integer multiple of 16 Ts.The integer is determined and sent to UE by a base station, andspecifically, is sent to the UE by using a timing advance (TA) commandT_(A).

In a random access process of the UE, the base station determines atransmission delay between the base station and the UE by detecting arandom access preamble, so as to determine a value of the TA commandT_(A) according to the transmission delay, and send the value to the UEby using a random access response, so that the UE performs transmissiontiming adjustment according to the TA command T_(A), where the TAcommand T_(A) occupies 11 bits and has a value range of 0, 1, 2, . . . ,and 1282. In this case, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA) and has a unit of Ts, and N_(TA)=T_(A)×16. In another case, forexample, after random access of the UE succeeds, the base station mayre-determine the value of the TA command T_(A), and the value is arelative value. The UE may determine a current transmission timingadjustment amount according to the value and a previous transmissiontiming adjustment amount. In this case, the TA command T_(A) occupies 6bits and has a value range of 0, 1, 2, . . . , and 63, the transmissiontiming adjustment amount is N_(TA,new) and has a unit of Ts, andN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A)−31)×16. The previous transmission timingadjustment amount N_(TA,old) may be a transmission timing adjustmentamount initially determined during random access, or may be atransmission timing adjustment amount determined in another non-randomaccess process.

As may be seen, an existing transmission timing adjustment step is 16Ts, and a distance that is between the UE and the base station and thatcorresponds to the step is 1/30.72×16×speed of light/2 =78 m. Therefore,for UE within a range of 78 m away from the base station and for UEwithin a range of 156 m away from the base station, TA commands T_(A)are the same, and transmission timing adjustment amounts are also thesame.

However, in an actual network layout, a hotspot urban area, an outersuburb, and a micro cell have completely different coverage. Stationscovering an urban area are dense. Most (more than 90% according toanalysis of actual data) UEs in a cell are distributed within a range of2 km. Therefore, a coverage map made according to an existingtransmission timing adjustment mechanism has low identifiability, and isnot sufficiently applicable to an area of hotspot coverage. In addition,a cell radius of a micro cell is set far less than that of a macro cell.Most UEs are distributed within a range of 1 km. Similarly, a coveragemap made according to the existing transmission timing adjustmentmechanism has excessively low precision and has extremely lowdifferentiability. Therefore, use of network optimization is limited.

Based on the foregoing consideration, in embodiments of the presentinvention, quantization precision of TA is designed, so that atransmission timing adjustment step is finer, and therefore, a distancecorresponding to a minimum step is also finer and is more practical foran actual network application. The embodiments of the present inventionhave a significant advantage particularly in network planning andoptimization. A detailed description is given below with reference tothe embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a transmission timingadjustment method according to the present invention. This embodiment isexecuted by a base station, and the base station may be implemented byusing software and/or hardware. As shown in FIG. 1, the method in thisembodiment may include:

Step 101: Determine a transmission delay between UE and the basestation.

Step 102: Generate a TA quantized value according to the transmissiondelay, where the TA quantized value includes a base value and an offsetvalue.

Quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precisionMTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantizationprecision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is anonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in an LTEsystem and has a value of 1/30.72 μs.

Step 103: Send the TA quantized value to the UE, where the TA quantizedvalue is used for uplink transmission timing adjustment of the UE.

In a specific application scenario, an important feature of uplinktransmission is that different UEs perform orthogonal multiple access ontime-frequency, so that uplink transmission of the different UEs from asame cell does not interfere with each other. To ensure orthogonality ofthe uplink transmission and avoid intra-cell interference, the basestation requires that signals of different UEs from a same subframe butdifferent frequency domain resources arrive at the base station atbasically aligned time. As long as the base station receives, within acyclic prefix range, uplink data sent by the UEs, the base station cancorrectly decode the uplink data. Therefore, uplink synchronizationrequires that the signals of the different UEs from the same subframearrive at the base station at a time that falls within the cyclicprefix. To ensure time synchronization on a base station side, LTEproposes an uplink TA mechanism. The base station sends the TA quantizedvalue by using a TA command T_(A), so that the UEs determine atransmission timing adjustment amount according to the TA quantizedvalue, and adjust an uplink transmitting time according to thetransmission timing adjustment amount.

The transmission delay in step 101 may be a bidirectional transmissiondelay, or may be a unidirectional transmission delay. Currently, a valueof the TA command T_(A) is determined by using the bidirectionaltransmission delay. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bidirectionaltransmission delay is also used as an example for a detaileddescription. Moreover, the bidirectional transmission delay may be usedas a timing advance amount (timing advance) T_(ADV). Persons skilled inthe art may understand that the timing advance amount can be also termedtiming advance which is the same as a full name of TA, and todistinguish between the timing advance amount and the TA, T_(ADV) isused to identify the timing advance amount. There are two cases forT_(ADV): First, T_(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference)+(UE Rx−Tx timedifference); and second, T_(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference), where the“eNB Rx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between a receivingtime and a transmitting time of the base station, and the “UE Rx−Tx timedifference” represents a difference between a receiving time and atransmitting time of the UE. Moreover, the first case is applicable to anon-random access scenario, and the second case is applicable to arandom access scenario.

Therefore, in step 101, a scenario for determining the transmissiondelay may include two cases. In one case, during initialsynchronization, in a random access process of the UE, the base stationdetermines the transmission delay between the UE and the base station,that is, the timing advance T_(ADV) of the UE. In the other case, duringupdating synchronization, that is, after the UE completes the randomaccess process, when the UE establishes a radio resource control (RRC)connection or when the UE is in an RRC connected state, the base stationacquires the transmission delay between the UE and the base station,that is, the timing advance T_(ADV) of the UE. A specific process isdescribed in detail in the following embodiments, and details are nolonger described herein.

In step 102, after determining the timing advance T_(ADV), the basestation converts the timing advance T_(ADV) into the TA command T_(A)delivered to the UE. The TA command T_(A) is the foregoing TA quantizedvalue. Different from an existing TA command T_(A), the TA command T_(A)includes the base value and the offset value. The base value is set toT_(A_BASE), and the offset value is set to T_(A_OFFSET).

In this embodiment, the quantization precision of the base value is thefirst quantization precision MTs, and the quantization precision of theoffset value is the second quantization precision NTs. When the firstquantization precision is equal to 16 Ts and the second quantizationprecision is less than 16 Ts, quantization precision may be improved byusing an offset value whose quantization precision is less than 16 Ts,so as to further decrease a transmission timing adjustment step. Inaddition, when the first quantization precision is less than 16 Ts, thesecond quantization precision may be finer, or the second quantizationprecision may not be used, so as to improve the quantization precisionand decrease the transmission timing adjustment step. Therefore,compared with the prior art, the transmission timing adjustment step inthis embodiment is finer, so that a distance corresponding to a minimumstep is also finer and is more practical for an actual networkapplication. This embodiment of the present invention has a significantadvantage particularly in network planning and optimization. Moreover,this change does not affect an application of the foregoing transmissiontiming adjustment, and the transmission timing adjustment is moreaccurate.

Therefore, during the initial synchronization, the transmission timingadjustment amount is N_(TA)=M*T_(A_BASE)+N*T_(A_OFFSET), where a unit ofN_(TA) is Ts. During the updating synchronization, the transmissiontiming adjustment amount isN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unit ofN_(TA,new) is Ts, M is a value of the first quantization precision, N isa value of the second quantization precision, N_(TA,old) is a previoustransmission timing adjustment amount, m is [a maximum value ofT_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] represents rounding up or rounding down. As maybe seen, in this case, the quantization precision may reach NTs, therebyimproving application value of network planning and optimization.

Implementation forms of the quantization precision and the TA quantizedvalue are described in detail below.

When the first quantization precision is 16 Ts, the base valueT_(A_BASE) is the same as the existing TA command T_(A). During theinitial synchronization, the base value T_(A_BASE) occupies 11 bits andhas a value range of 0, 1, 2, . . . , and 1282. During the updatingsynchronization, the base value T_(A_BASE) occupies 6 bits and has avalue range of 0, 1, 2, . . . , and 63. In this case, the secondquantization precision is less than 16 Ts, and may be, for example, 1Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts. The offset value T_(A_OFFSET) may occupy 4bits, has a value range of all or some of values from 0 to 15, andspecifically varies depending on a value of N. 1 Ts is used as anexample, and the value range is all values from 0 to 15. Then, duringthe initial synchronization, the transmission timing adjustment amountis N_(TA)=16*T_(A_BASE)+T_(A_OFFSET), and has a unit of Ts. During theupdating synchronization, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−31)*16+T_(A_OFFSET). As may be seen,in this case, the quantization precision may reach 1 Ts, thereby greatlyimproving differentiability, and improving application value of networkplanning and optimization.

When the first quantization precision is less than 16 Ts, for example, 1Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts, the second quantization precision is finer thanthe first quantization precision, that is, N is less than M. In thiscase, bits occupied by the base value T_(A_BASE) increase as comparedwith the prior art. Bits occupied by the offset value T_(A_OFFSET) areset according to the quantization precision of the offset value and thequantization precision of the base value. To reduce complexity ofadjusting both the first quantization precision and the secondquantization precision as compared with the prior art, preferably, N maybe 0, that is, finer quantization precision is directly selected toimplement quantization. As compared with the foregoing manner, inimplementation of this manner, the second quantization precision doesnot exist, and the offset value T_(A_OFFSET) is 0, that is, the offsetvalue does not have an actual meaning. Therefore, the offset valueT_(A_OFFSET) no longer occupies any bit, and the implementation issimple.

As may be seen, when the first quantization precision is 16 Ts, anexisting protocol may be kept unchanged, as long as a field reflectingthe offset value is added to an original protocol. Compatibility of thismanner is relatively desirable. When the first quantization precision isless than 16 Ts, the implementation is simple, but a quantity of bitsoccupied by the TA command T_(A) needs to be increased, and higherquantization precision indicates more occupied bits.

In the foregoing embodiment, when N is 0, in a generation manner of theTA quantized value, the foregoing transmission delay may be quantized byusing the first quantization precision MTs, and an obtained quantizedvalue of the transmission delay is the TA quantized value.

For example, when the first quantization precision MTs is 4 Ts, afteracquiring the transmission delay 89 Ts, the base station divides thetransmission delay 89 Ts by 4 Ts, and performs rounding down, to obtainthe quantized value 22 of the transmission delay. The quantized value 22of the transmission delay is the TA quantized value.

When N is not 0, in a generation manner of the TA quantized value, theforegoing transmission delay may be quantized by using the firstquantization precision MTs, where the quantized value of thetransmission delay is the base value; and then a remainder generated inthe foregoing quantization process is quantized by using the secondquantization precision NTs, to obtain a quantized value of theremainder, where the quantized value of the remainder is the offsetvalue. In this case, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematicflowchart of Embodiment 1 of a quantization process according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, step 102includes:

Step 1021: Quantize the transmission delay by using first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain a quantized value and a remainder of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the base value.

Step 1022: Quantize the remainder by using second quantization precisionNTs, to obtain a quantized value of the remainder, where the quantizedvalue of the remainder is the offset value.

For example, when the first quantization precision MTs is 16 Ts and thesecond quantization precision NTs is 1 Ts, after the base stationacquires the transmission delay 89 Ts, the base station divides 89 Ts bythe first quantization precision 16 Ts, to obtain the quantized value 5of the transmission delay and the remainder 9 Ts, and divides theremainder 9 Ts by 1 Ts, to obtain the quantized value 9 of theremainder. The quantized value 5 of the transmission delay is the basevalue, and the quantized value 9 of the remainder is the offset value.

When the first quantization precision MTs is 16 Ts and the secondquantization precision NTs is 2 Ts, after the base station acquires thetransmission delay 89 Ts, the base station divides 89 Ts by the firstquantization precision 16 Ts, to obtain the quantized value 5 of thetransmission delay and the remainder 9 Ts, divides the remainder 9 Ts by2 Ts, to obtain 4.5, and then performs rounding down, to obtain thequantized value 4 of the remainder. The quantized value 5 of thetransmission delay is the base value, and the quantized value 4 of theremainder is the offset value.

Further, when the second quantization precision is 1 Ts, the methodshown in FIG. 2 may be replaced with the following method. Referring toFIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of aquantization process according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 3, the foregoing step 102 includes:

Step 1021′: Quantize the transmission delay by using second quantizationprecision NTs, to obtain an intermediate quantized value.

Step 1022′: Perform a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantizedvalue, and perform rounding to obtain the base value, where a remainderis used as an offset value.

For example, when the first quantization precision MTs is 16 Ts and thesecond quantization precision NTs is 1 Ts, after acquiring thetransmission delay 89 Ts, the base station divides 89 Ts by the secondquantization precision 1 Ts, to obtain the intermediate quantized value89, then performs a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantizedvalue 89, and performs rounding to obtain 5, that is, the base value,and the remainder 9 is the offset value.

In this embodiment, when the base station performs specific networkplanning or optimization, the base station further receives ameasurement report and call information that are sent by the UE. Themeasurement report may include a transmit power, a signal tointerference plus noise ratio (SINR), a reference signal received power(RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and the like of theuser equipment. The call information includes a quantity of times ofestablishing an RRC connection by the user equipment, a quantity oftimes of establishing a radio access bearer (RAB) by the user equipment,and the like.

The base station determines network coverage information according tothe TA quantized value, the measurement report, and the callinformation. Specifically, the base station may determine a distancebetween the base station and the user equipment according to the TAquantized value, and draw a coverage map of the user equipment. The basestation may further learn wireless coverage information of a cellaccording to the measurement report. In addition, the base station mayfurther determine traffic information of a network being busy or idlewithin a preset geographical location range according to the callinformation and the TA quantized value. Further, the base station mayalso collect, by comprehensively considering the TA quantized value, themeasurement report, and the call information, statistics on distributionof signal quality of user equipments that correspond to different TAquantized values, and analyze coverage of the network and trafficinformation of the network being busy or idle.

Further, the base station may optimize or plan a wireless networkaccording to the network coverage information and the trafficinformation. For example, when the user equipments are relativelysparsely distributed, and the network is relatively idle, the basestation may divide served cells again, to ensure that the UEs areproperly distributed. When the UEs in the cells served by the basestation are relatively densely distributed, the network is relativelybusy, and network coverage is relatively poor, a macro cell or a microcell may be added, to form macro-micro coordination networking.

In conclusion, according to the transmission timing adjustment methodprovided in this embodiment, a base station determines a transmissiondelay between UE and the base station, and generates a TA quantizedvalue according to the transmission delay. In this embodiment, the TAquantized value is improved. The TA quantized value includes a basevalue and an offset value, and quantization precision is designed.Quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precisionMTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantizationprecision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is anonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs. Thequantization precision is designed, so that a step of a transmissiontiming adjustment amount is finer, and therefore, a distancecorresponding to a minimum step is also finer and is more practical foran actual network application. This embodiment of the present inventionhas a significant advantage in network planning and optimization.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a transmission timingadjustment method according to the present invention. This embodiment isexecuted by user equipment. The user equipment may be implemented byusing software and/or hardware. In the transmission timing adjustmentmethod in this embodiment, a transmission timing adjustment method on auser equipment side is described in detail based on Embodiment 1 of thetransmission timing adjustment method. As shown in FIG. 4, the method inthis embodiment may include:

Step 401: Receive a TA quantized value sent by a base station, where theTA quantized value includes a base value and an offset value.

Quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precisionMTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantizationprecision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is anonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs.

Step 402: Determine a transmission timing adjustment amount according tothe TA quantized value.

Step 403: Perform uplink transmission timing adjustment according to thetransmission timing adjustment amount.

An application scenario of this embodiment is similar to Embodiment 1 ofthe transmission timing adjustment method. Details are no longerdescribed herein in this embodiment.

In step 401, a scenario in which the UE receives the TA quantized valuesent by the base station may include two cases. In one case, in a randomaccess process of the UE, after the UE sends a random access preamble tothe base station, the UE receives a TA quantized value that is used forinitial synchronization and that is sent by the base station. In theother case, after the UE completes the random access process, when theUE establishes an RRC connection or when the UE is in an RRC connectedstate, the UE receives a TA quantized value that is used for updatingsynchronization and that is sent by the base station.

In this embodiment, the UE may receive the TA quantized value by using aTA command T_(A), that is, the TA quantized value is implemented in amanner of the TA command T_(A). The TA quantized value includes the basevalue and the offset value. The base value is set to T_(A_BASE), and theoffset value is set to T_(A_OFFSET). The quantization precision of thebase value is the first quantization precision MTs, and the quantizationprecision of the offset value is the second quantization precision NTs.

M is the positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is the nonnegativeinteger less than M, and Ts is the minimum time unit in the Long TermEvolution (LTE) system and has the value of 1/30.72 μs.

When the first quantization precision is equal to 16 Ts and the secondquantization precision is less than 16 Ts, quantization precision may beimproved by using an offset value whose quantization precision is lessthan 16 Ts, so as to further decrease a transmission timing adjustmentstep. In addition, when the first quantization precision is less than 16Ts, the second quantization precision may be finer, or the secondquantization precision may not be used, so as to improve thequantization precision and decrease the transmission timing adjustmentstep.

Further, when the first quantization precision is 16 Ts, the base valueT_(A_BASE) is the same as the existing TA command T_(A). During theinitial synchronization (random access), the base value T_(A_BASE)occupies 11 bits and has a value range of 0, 1, 2, . . . , and 1282.During the updating synchronization (non-random access), the base valueT_(A_BASE) occupies 6 bits and has a value range of 0, 1, 2, . . . , and63. In this case, the second quantization precision is less than 16 Ts,and may be, for example, 1 Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts. The offset valueT_(A_OFFSET) may occupy 4 bits, has a value range of all or some ofvalues from 0 to 15, and specifically varies depending on a value of N.For example, when the second quantization precision is 1 Ts, the valuerange of the offset value T_(A_OFFSET) is 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . , and 15.When the second quantization precision is 2 Ts, the value range of theoffset value T_(A_OFFSET) is 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . , and 7. When the secondquantization precision is 4 Ts, the value range of the offset valueT_(A_OFFSET) is 0, 1, 2, and 3.

When the first quantization precision is less than 16 Ts, for example, 1Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts, the second quantization precision is finer thanthe first quantization precision, that is, N is less than M. In thiscase, bits occupied by the base value T_(A_BASE) increase as comparedwith the prior art. For example, when the first quantization precisionis 8 Ts, a value range of T_(A_BASE) is 0, 1, 2, . . . , and 2564, andthe occupied bits obviously increase. Bits occupied by the offset valueT_(A_OFFSET) are set according to the quantization precision of theoffset value and the quantization precision of the base value. To reducecomplexity of adjusting both the first quantization precision and thesecond quantization precision as compared with the prior art,preferably, N may be 0, that is, finer quantization precision isdirectly selected to implement quantization. As compared with theforegoing manner, in implementation of this manner, the secondquantization precision does not exist, and the offset value T_(A_OFFSET)is 0, that is, the offset value does not have an actual meaning.Therefore, the offset value T_(A_OFFSET) no longer occupies any bit, andthe implementation is simple.

As may be seen, when the first quantization precision is 16 Ts, anexisting protocol may be kept unchanged, as long as a field reflectingthe offset value is added to an original protocol. Compatibility of thismanner is relatively desirable. When the first quantization precision isless than 16 Ts, the implementation is simple, but a quantity of bitsoccupied by the TA command T_(A) needs to be increased, and higherquantization precision indicates more occupied bits.

In step 402, the UE determines the transmission timing adjustment amountaccording to the TA quantized value.

When M is equal to 16 and N is less than 16, during random access, thetransmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA)=M*T_(A_BASE)+N*T_(A_OFFSET), where a unit of N_(TA) is Ts; andduring non-random access, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)* M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unit ofN_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, m is [a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ]represents rounding up or rounding down.

For example, when M=16 and N=1, during random access,N_(TA)=16*T_(A_BASE)+T_(A_OFFSET); and during non-random access,N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−31)*16+T_(A_OFFSET). When M=16 andN=2, during random access, N_(TA)=16*T_(A_BASE)+2*T_(A_OFFSET); andduring non-random access,N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−31)*16+2*T_(A_OFFSET).

When M is less than 16, N is 0, and the TA quantized value is the basevalue, during random access, the transmission timing adjustment amountis N_(TA)=M*T_(A_BASE), where a unit of N_(TA) is Ts; and duringnon-random access, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M, where a unit of N_(TA,new) isTs, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timing adjustment amount, m is[a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] represents rounding up orrounding down.

For example, when M=8 and N is 0, during random access, the transmissiontiming adjustment amount is N_(TA)=8*T_(A_BASE); and during non-randomaccess, the transmission timing adjustment amount isN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+8*(T_(A_BASE)−63).

In step 403, the UE performs uplink transmission timing adjustment on aphysical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink sharedchannel (PUSCH), and a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to thetransmission timing adjustment amount.

Further, on the basis of the foregoing embodiment, the UE further sendsa measurement report and call information to the base station. In aspecific implementation process, after measuring a wireless network andobtaining the measurement report, the UE sends the measurement report tothe base station. The measurement report may include a transmit power,an SINR, an RSRP, and an RSRQ that are of the UE. The call informationincludes a quantity of times of establishing an RRC connection by theuser equipment, a quantity of times of establishing an RAB by the userequipment, and the like, so that the base station determines networkcoverage information and traffic information according to the TAquantized value, the measurement report, and the call information.

In this embodiment, a TA quantized value is improved. The TA quantizedvalue includes a base value and an offset value. Quantization precisionof the base value is first quantization precision MTs, and quantizationprecision of the offset value is second quantization precision NTs. M isa positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integerless than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs. Quantization precision isdesigned, so that a step of a transmission timing adjustment amount isfiner, and therefore, a distance corresponding to a minimum step is alsofiner and is more practical for an actual network application. Moreover,a UE determines the transmission timing adjustment amount according tothe TA quantized value; and performs uplink transmission timingadjustment according to the transmission timing adjustment amount.Therefore, the UE performs the uplink transmission timing adjustmentmore precisely.

The foregoing method is described in detail by separately usingtransmission timing adjustment that is performed during the randomaccess process and transmission timing adjustment that is performedafter random access is completed as examples.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a signaling flow diagram of Embodiment 3of a transmission timing adjustment method according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission timing adjustment methodprovided in this embodiment includes:

Step 501: UE sends a random access preamble to a base station.

For example, the UE sends the random access preamble to the base stationon a physical random access channel (PRACH).

Step 502: The base station determines a transmission delay between theUE and the base station according to the random access preamble.

In this embodiment, the transmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV),and a method for determining the timing advance T_(ADV), for example,may be: searching, by the base station by using a search window, for therandom access preamble sent by the UE. Specifically, the search windowkeeps moving outwards until the random access preamble sent by the UE isreceived. The transmission delay between the UE and the base station isobtained through calculation according to a location and a size of thesearch window in which the random access preamble is found.

Step 503: The base station generates a TA quantized value according tothe transmission delay.

The TA quantized value includes a base value and an offset value. Adescription about the TA quantized value is the same as that in theforegoing embodiment. Details are no longer described herein.

Step 504: The base station sends a random access response to the UE,where the random access response includes the foregoing TA quantizedvalue.

For example, the base station sends the random access response to the UEon a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Moreover, whenquantization precision of the base value of the TA quantized value is 16Ts, the base value of the TA quantized value is the same as an existingTA command T_(A). A field reflecting an offset value is added for theoffset value based on an original protocol. When the quantizationprecision of the base value is less than 16 Ts, a size of a fieldreflecting an original TA command T_(A), that is, a quantity of bitsoccupied by the original TA command T_(A), needs to be increased.

Step 505: The UE determines a transmission timing adjustment amountaccording to the TA quantized value, and performs uplink transmissiontiming adjustment according to the transmission timing adjustmentamount.

In an LTE system of 3GPP, the user equipment establishes an uplinksynchronization relationship with the base station by using a randomaccess process. The random access process includes a contention-basedrandom access process and a non-contention-based random access process.In this embodiment, the contention-based random access process is usedas an example herein for description. The non-contention-based randomaccess process is similar, and details are no longer described herein inthis embodiment.

After step 505, the user equipment adjusts an uplink transmitting timeof a PUCCH, an uplink transmitting time of a PUSCH, and an uplinktransmitting time of an SRS according to the timing advance amount.

Persons skilled in the art may understand that after step 503, conflictdetection of the base station, an RRC connection of the UE, and the likeare further included. Details are no longer described herein in thisembodiment.

Although the UE implements uplink synchronization with the base stationin the random access process, a time at which an uplink signal arrivesat the base station may change with time. For example, a transmissiondelay between fast-moving UE or UE in a running high-speed train and thebase station keeps changing. For another example, a current transmissionpath disappears, and a new transmission path is switched to:Specifically, in a city with dense buildings, when UE is at a corner ofa building, this case may occur. For another possible case, no speciallimitation is made herein in this embodiment. Therefore, the UE needs toupdate an uplink timing advance amount of the UE in time, so as tomaintain uplink synchronization. In LTE, when the UE establishes an RRCconnection or the user equipment is in an RRC state, the base stationadjusts the uplink timing advance amount by using a closed-loopmechanism. For details, refer to the following embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a signaling flow diagram of Embodiment 4of a transmission timing adjustment method according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission timing adjustment methodprovided in this embodiment includes:

Step 601: UE sends an uplink transmission signal to a base station.

Specifically, after completing a random access process, the UE sends theuplink transmission signal to the base station.

Step 602: The base station determines a transmission delay between theUE and the base station according to the uplink transmission signal.

In this embodiment, the transmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV).

Step 603: The base station generates a TA quantized value according tothe transmission delay.

Step 604: The base station sends a media access control control element(MAC CE) to the UE, where the MAC CE includes the TA quantized value.

Step 605: The UE determines a transmission timing adjustment amountaccording to the TA quantized value, and performs uplink transmissiontiming adjustment according to the transmission timing adjustmentamount.

In this embodiment, the TA quantized value includes a base value and anoffset value. A description about the TA quantized value is the same asthat in the foregoing embodiment. Details are no longer describedherein. Moreover, when quantization precision of the base value of theTA quantized value is 16 Ts, the base value of the TA quantized value isthe same as an existing TA command T_(A). A field reflecting the offsetvalue is added for the offset value based on an original protocol. Whenthe quantization precision of the base value is less than 16 Ts, a sizeof a field reflecting an original TA command T_(A), that is, a quantityof bits occupied by the original TA command T_(A), needs to beincreased.

In step 601, when establishing an RRC connection or being in an RRCstate, the UE sends the uplink transmission signal to the base station.In step 602, theoretically, any uplink transmission signal sent by theUE may be used to measure the timing advance T_(ADV). Optionally, thebase station may select a de-modulation reference signal (DMRS), asounding reference signal (SRS), or a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) to measure the timing advance T_(ADV). In a specificimplementation process, the DMRS is preferentially selected to measurethe timing advance T_(ADV), the SRS is less preferentially selected tomeasure the timing advance T_(ADV), and the PUCCH is leastpreferentially selected to measure the timing advance T_(ADV).

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of a basestation according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the basestation 70 provided in this embodiment includes: a delay determiningmodule 701, a quantized-value generation module 702, and a sendingmodule 703.

The delay determining module 701 is configured to determine atransmission delay between UE and the base station.

The quantized-value generation module 702 is configured to generate atiming advance TA quantized value according to the transmission delay,where the TA quantized value includes a base value and an offset value,quantization precision of the base value is first quantization precisionMTs, quantization precision of the offset value is second quantizationprecision NTs, M is a positive integer less than or equal to 16, N is anonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs.

The sending module 703 is configured to send the TA quantized value tothe UE, where the TA quantized value is used for uplink transmissiontiming adjustment of the UE.

Determining of the transmission delay, determining of the TA quantizedvalue and bits occupied by the TA quantized value in differentquantization precision cases are the same as those in the foregoingembodiment. Details are no longer described herein, and merely a simpledescription is given as follows:

Optionally, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16. For example, N is1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the quantized-value generation module 702 is specificallyconfigured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain a quantized value and a remainder of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the base value; and

quantize the remainder by using the second quantization precision NTs,to obtain a quantized value of the remainder, where the quantized valueof the remainder is the offset value.

Optionally, when N is 1, the quantized-value generation module 702 isspecifically configured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the second quantizationprecision NTs, to obtain an intermediate quantized value; and

perform a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantized value, andperform rounding to obtain the base value, where a remainder is used asthe offset value.

Optionally, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits, andthe offset value occupies 4 bits; or during non-random access, the basevalue occupies 6 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits.

Optionally, M is less than 16, N is 0, and in this case, thequantized-value generation module is specifically configured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain the quantized value of the transmission delay,where the quantized value of the transmission delay is the TA quantizedvalue. For example, M may be 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the transmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV), where

during random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference); or

during non-random access, T _(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference)+(UE Rx−Txtime difference),

where the “eNB Rx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between areceiving time and a transmitting time of the base station, and the “UERx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between a receiving timeand a transmitting time of the UE.

Optionally, the base station sends the TA quantized value by using a TAcommand. Moreover, when the quantization precision of the base value ofthe TA quantized value is 16 Ts, the base value of the TA quantizedvalue is the same as an existing TA command. A field reflecting anoffset value is added for the offset value based on an originalprotocol. When the quantization precision of the base value is less than16 Ts, a size of a field reflecting an original TA command T_(A), thatis, a quantity of bits occupied by the original TA command T_(A), needsto be increased.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of a basestation according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the basestation 70 provided in this embodiment is implemented based on theembodiment in FIG. 7. In this case, the base station further includes:

a receiving module 704, configured to receive a measurement report andcall information that are sent by the UE; and

an optimization module 705, configured to: determine network coverageinformation and traffic information according to the TA quantized value,the measurement report, and the call information, and perform networkplanning or optimization according to the network coverage informationand the traffic information.

The base station provided in this embodiment may execute the technicalsolutions in the foregoing method embodiments, implementation principlesand technical effects thereof are similar, and details are no longerdescribed herein in this embodiment.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 704 in this embodiment maybe a receiver of the base station and the sending module 703 may be atransmitter of the base station. In addition, the receiving module 704and the sending module 703 may be integrated to form a transceiver ofthe base station. The delay determining module 701 may be a separatelydisposed processor, or may be implemented by being integrated in aprocessor of the base station, and in addition, may be stored in amemory of the base station in a form of program code, and a processor ofthe base station invokes the program code and executes a function of theforegoing delay determining module 701. Implementation of thequantized-value generation module 702 and implementation of theoptimization module 705 are the same as that of the delay determiningmodule 701. The quantized-value generation module 702 and theoptimization module 705 may be integrated with the delay determiningmodule 701, or may be independently implemented. The processor hereinmay be a central processing unit (CPU) or an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or may be configured into one or moreintegrated circuits for implementing this embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of userequipment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the UE90 provided in this embodiment includes: a receiving module 901, atransmission timing determining module 902, and an adjustment module903.

The receiving module 901 is configured to receive a timing advance TAquantized value sent by a base station, where the TA quantized valueincludes a base value and an offset value, quantization precision of thebase value is first quantization precision MTs, quantization precisionof the offset value is second quantization precision NTs, M is apositive integer less than or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integerless than M, and Ts is a minimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system and has a value of 1/30.72 μs.

The transmission timing determining module 902 is configured todetermine a transmission timing adjustment amount according to the TAquantized value.

The adjustment module 903 is configured to perform uplink transmissiontiming adjustment according to the transmission timing adjustmentamount.

In different quantization precision cases, determining of the TAquantized value and bits occupied by the TA quantized value are the sameas those in the foregoing embodiment. Details are no longer describedherein, and merely a simple description is given as follows:

Optionally, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16. For example, N maybe 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits, andthe offset value occupies 4 bits; or during non-random access, the basevalue occupies 6 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits.

Optionally, during random access, the transmission timing adjustmentamount is N_(TA), and N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unitof N_(TA) is Ts, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, and T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value; or during non-random access, the transmission timingadjustment amount is N_(TA,new), andN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unit ofN_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value, m is [a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] representsrounding up or rounding down.

Optionally, M is less than 16, N is 0, and the TA quantized value is thebase value. For example, M may be 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the UE receives the TA quantized value by using a TAcommand.

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of userequipment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, theUE 90 provided in this embodiment is implemented based on the embodimentin FIG. 9, and specifically further includes:

a sending module 904, configured to send a measurement report and callinformation to the base station, so that the base station determinesnetwork coverage information and traffic information according to the TAquantized value, the measurement report, and the call information.

The UE provided in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solutions in the foregoing method embodiments, implementationprinciples and technical effects thereof are similar, and details are nolonger described herein in this embodiment.

It should be noted that, the receiving module 901 in this embodiment maybe a receiver of the UE and the sending module 904 may be a transmitterof the UE. In addition, the receiving module 901 and the sending module904 may be integrated to form a transceiver of the UE. The transmissiontiming determining module 902 may be a separately disposed processor, ormay be implemented by being integrated in a processor of the UE, and inaddition, may be stored in a memory of the UE in a form of program code,and a processor of the UE invokes the program code and executes afunction of the foregoing transmission timing determining module 902.Implementation of the adjustment module 903 is the same as that of thetransmission timing determining module 902. The adjustment module 903may be integrated with the transmission timing determining module 902,or may be independently implemented. The processor herein may be acentral processing unit (CPU) or an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or may be configured into one or more integratedcircuits for implementing this embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of a basestation according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, thebase station 110 provided in this embodiment includes: a processor 111,a receiver 114, and a transmitter 113. The figure also shows a memory112 and a bus 115. The processor 111, the receiver 114, the transmitter113, and the memory 112 are connected to each other and accomplishcommunication with each other by using the bus 115.

The processor 111 is configured to:

determine a transmission delay between UE and the base station;

generate a timing advance TA quantized value according to thetransmission delay, where the TA quantized value includes a base valueand an offset value, quantization precision of the base value is firstquantization precision MTs, quantization precision of the offset valueis second quantization precision NTs, M is a positive integer less thanor equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is aminimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and has a valueof 1/30.72 μs; and

send the TA quantized value to the UE by using the transmitter 113,where the TA quantized value is used for uplink transmission timingadjustment of the UE.

Determining of the transmission delay, determining of the TA quantizedvalue and bits occupied by the TA quantized value in differentquantization precision cases are the same as those in the foregoingembodiment. Details are no longer described herein, and merely a simpledescription is given as follows:

Optionally, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16. For example, N maybe 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the processor 111 is specifically configured to:

quantize the transmission delay by using the first quantizationprecision MTs, to obtain a quantized value and a remainder of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the base value; and

quantize the remainder by using the second quantization precision NTs,to obtain a quantized value of the remainder, where the quantized valueof the remainder is the offset value.

Optionally, when N is 1, the processor 111 is specifically configuredto: quantize the transmission delay by using the second quantizationprecision NTs, to obtain an intermediate quantized value; and

perform a modulo-16 operation on the intermediate quantized value, andperform rounding to obtain the base value, where a remainder is used asthe offset value.

Optionally, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits, andthe offset value occupies 4 bits; or during non-random access, the basevalue occupies 6 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits.

Optionally, M is less than 16, N is 0, and the processor 111 isspecifically configured to quantize the transmission delay by using thefirst quantization precision MTs, to obtain the quantized value of thetransmission delay, where the quantized value of the transmission delayis the TA quantized value. For example, M may be 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the transmission delay is a timing advance T_(ADV). Duringrandom access, T_(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference); or during non-randomaccess, T_(ADV)=(eNB Rx−Tx time difference)+(UE Rx−Tx time difference),where the “eNB Rx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between areceiving time and a transmitting time of the base station, and the “UERx−Tx time difference” represents a difference between a receiving timeand a transmitting time of the UE.

Optionally, the base station sends the TA quantized value by using a TAcommand.

Optionally, the processor 111 is further configured to: receive, byusing the receiver 114, a measurement report and call information thatare sent by the UE; determine network coverage information and trafficinformation according to the TA quantized value, the measurement report,and the call information; and perform network planning or optimizationaccording to the network coverage information and the trafficinformation.

It should be noted that the processor 111 herein may be one processor,or may be a general term of multiple processing elements. For example,the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU) or may be anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be configuredinto one or more integrated circuits for implementing this embodiment ofthe present invention, such as one or more digital signal processors(DSP) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA).

The memory 112 may be one storage apparatus, or may be a general term ofmultiple storage elements, and is configured to store executable programcode or a parameter, data, and the like that are needed in operation ofthe base station. The memory 112 may include a random access memory(RAM) or may include a non-volatile memory, such as a magnetic diskmemory or a flash memory.

The bus 115 may be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, aperipheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industrystandard architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus 115 may beclassified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like.For ease of representation, the bus in FIG. 11 is represented by usingonly one bold line, but it does not indicate that there is only one busor only one type of bus.

The base station provided in this embodiment may be configured toexecute the technical solutions in the foregoing method embodiments,implementation principles and technical effects thereof are similar, anddetails are no longer described herein in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of userequipment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, theUE 120 provided in this embodiment includes: a processor 121, a receiver124, and a transmitter 123. The figure also shows a memory 122 and a bus125. The processor 121, the receiver 124, the transmitter 123, and thememory 122 are connected to each other and accomplish communication witheach other by using the bus 125.

The processor 121 is specifically configured to:

receive, by using the receiver 124, a timing advance TA quantized valuesent by a base station, where the TA quantized value includes a basevalue and an offset value, quantization precision of the base value isfirst quantization precision MTs, quantization precision of the offsetvalue is second quantization precision NTs, M is a positive integer lessthan or equal to 16, N is a nonnegative integer less than M, and Ts is aminimum time unit in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and has a valueof 1/30.72 μs;

determine a transmission timing adjustment amount according to the TAquantized value; and

perform uplink transmission timing adjustment according to thetransmission timing adjustment amount.

In different quantization precision cases, determining of the TAquantized value and bits occupied by the TA quantized value are the sameas those in the foregoing embodiment. Details are no longer describedherein, and merely a simple description is given as follows:

Optionally, M is equal to 16, and N is less than 16. For example, N maybe 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, during random access, the base value occupies 11 bits, andthe offset value occupies 4 bits; or during non-random access, the basevalue occupies 6 bits, and the offset value occupies 4 bits.

Optionally, during random access, the transmission timing adjustmentamount is N_(TA), and N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unitof N_(TA) is Ts, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, and T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value; or during non-random access, the transmission timingadjustment amount is N_(TA,new), andN_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M+T_(A_OFFSET)*N, where a unit ofN_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, T_(A_BASE) is the base value, T_(A_OFFSET) is theoffset value, m is [a maximum value of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] representsrounding up or rounding down.

Optionally, M is less than 16, N is 0, and the TA quantized value is thebase value. For example, M may be 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Optionally, the UE receives the TA quantized value by using a TAcommand.

Optionally, the processor 121 is further configured to send ameasurement report and call information to the base station by using thetransmitter 123, so that the base station determines network coverageinformation and traffic information according to the TA quantized value,the measurement report, and the call information.

It should be noted that the processor 121 herein may be one processor,or may be a general term of multiple processing elements. For example,the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU) or may be anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be configuredinto one or more integrated circuits for implementing this embodiment ofthe present invention, such as one or more digital signal processors(DSP) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA).

The memory 122 may be one storage apparatus, or may be a general term ofmultiple storage elements, and is configured to store executable programcode or a parameter, data, and the like that are needed in operation ofthe user equipment. The memory 122 may include a random access memory(RAM) or may include a non-volatile memory, such as a magnetic diskmemory or a flash memory.

The bus 125 may be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, aperipheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industrystandard architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus 125 may beclassified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like.For ease of representation, the bus in FIG. 12 is represented by usingonly one bold line, but it does not indicate that there is only one busor only one type of bus.

The UE provided in this embodiment may be configured to execute thetechnical solutions in the foregoing method embodiments, implementationprinciples and technical effects thereof are similar, and details are nolonger described herein in this embodiment.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, itshould be understood that the disclosed device and method may beimplemented in other manners. For example, the foregoing describedapparatus embodiment is merely exemplary. For example, the unit ormodule division is merely logical function division and may be otherdivision in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units ormodules may be combined or integrated into another system, or somefeatures may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed ordiscussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communicationconnections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirectcouplings or communication connections between the devices or modulesmay be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

The modules described as separate parts may or may not be physicallyseparate, and parts displayed as modules may or may not be physicalmodules, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on aplurality of network units. A part or all of the modules may be selectedaccording to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions ofthe embodiments.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or a partof the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a programinstructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps of the methodembodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium includes: anymedium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magneticdisc, or an optical disc.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended for describing the technical solutions of the present inventionother than limiting the present invention. Although the presentinvention is described in detail with reference to the foregoingembodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand thatthey may still make modifications to the technical solutions describedin the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some orall technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of thetechnical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmission timing adjustment method,comprising: receiving, by user equipment (UE), a timing advance (TA)quantized value from a base station, wherein quantization precision ofthe TA quantized value is MTs, M is a positive integer less than 16, andTs has a value of 1/30.72 μs; determining, by the UE, a transmissiontiming adjustment amount according to the TA quantized value; andperforming, by the UE, uplink transmission timing adjustment accordingto the transmission timing adjustment amount.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein during random access, the transmission timingadjustment amount is N_(TA), N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M, a unit of N_(TA) isTs, T_(A_BASE) is the TA quantized value.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: sending, by the UE, a random accesspreamble to the base station, and wherein the receiving the TA quantizedvalue, comprises: receiving a random access response from the basestation, wherein the random access response comprises the TA quantizedvalue.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a quantity of bitsoccupied by the TA quantized value is more than 11 bits.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein during non-random access, the transmissiontiming adjustment amount is N_(TA,new),N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M, a unit of N_(TA,new) is Ts,N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timing adjustment amount,T_(A_BASE) is the TA quantized value, m is [a maximum value ofT_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] represents rounding up or rounding down.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the receiving the TA quantizedvalue comprises: receiving a media access control control element (MACCE) from the base station, wherein the MAC CE comprises the TA quantizedvalue.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the quantizationprecision of the TA quantized value comprises 1 Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts.8. A transmission timing adjustment method, comprising: generating, by abase station, a timing advance (TA) quantized value, whereinquantization precision of the TA quantized value is MTs, M is a positiveinteger less than 16, and Ts has a value of 1/30.72 μs; and sending, bythe base station, the TA quantized value to user equipment (UE).
 9. Themethod according to claim 8, further comprising: receiving, by the basestation, a random access preamble from the UE, and wherein the sendingthe TA quantized value to the UE, comprises: sending a random accessresponse to the UE, wherein the random access response comprises the TAquantized value.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a quantityof bits occupied by the TA quantized value is more than 11 bit.
 11. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein the sending the TA quantized valueto the UE, comprises: sending a media access control control element(MAC CE) to the UE, wherein the MAC CE comprises the TA quantized value.12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the quantization precisionof the TA quantized value comprises 1 Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts.
 13. Themethod according to claim 8, further comprising: determining, by thebase station, a transmission delay between user equipment (UE) and thebase station, and wherein the generating the TA quantized valuecomprises: generating the TA quantized value according to thetransmission delay.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein thegenerating the TA quantized value comprises: quantizing the transmissiondelay by using the quantization precision, MTs, to obtain the quantizedvalue of the transmission delay, wherein the quantized value of thetransmission delay is the TA quantized value.
 15. A device, comprisingat least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least oneprocessor, when executing programming instructions, the at least oneprocessor being instructed to: receive a timing advance (TA) quantizedvalue from a base station, wherein quantization precision of the TAquantized value is MTs, M is a positive integer less than 16, and Ts hasa value of 1/30.72 μs; determine a transmission timing adjustment amountaccording to the TA quantized value; and perform uplink transmissiontiming adjustment according to the transmission timing adjustmentamount.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein during randomaccess, the transmission timing adjustment amount is N_(TA),N_(TA)=T_(A_BASE)*M, a unit of N_(TA) is Ts, T_(A_BASE) is the TAquantized value.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein whenexecuting programming instructions, the at least one processor beinginstructed to: send a random access preamble to the base station; andreceive a random access response from the base station, wherein therandom access response comprises the TA quantized value.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein a quantity of bits occupied by the TAquantized value is more than 11 bits.
 19. The device according to claim15, wherein during non-random access, the transmission timing adjustmentamount is N_(TA,new), N_(TA,new)=N_(TA,old)+(T_(A_BASE)−m)*M, a unit ofN_(TA,new) is Ts, N_(TA,old) is a previous transmission timingadjustment amount, T_(A_BASE) is the TA quantized value, m is [a maximumvalue of T_(A_BASE)/2], and [ ] represents rounding up or rounding down.20. The device according to claim 15, wherein when executing programminginstructions, the at least one processor being instructed to: receive amedia access control control element (MAC CE) from the base station,wherein the MAC CE comprises the TA quantized value.
 21. The deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the quantization precision of the TAquantized value comprises 1 Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts.
 22. A device,comprising at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at leastone processor, when executing programming instructions, the at least oneprocessor being instructed to: generate a timing advance (TA) quantizedvalue, wherein quantization precision of the TA quantized value is MTs,M is a positive integer less than 16, and Ts has a value of 1/30.72 μs;and send the TA quantized value to user equipment (UE).
 23. The deviceaccording to claim 22, wherein when executing programming instructions,the at least one processor being instructed to: receive a random accesspreamble from the UE, send a random access response to the UE, whereinthe random access response comprises the TA quantized value.
 24. Thedevice according to claim 23, wherein a quantity of bits occupied by theTA quantized value is more than 11 bit.
 25. The device according toclaim 22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: send amedia access control control element (MAC CE) to the UE, wherein the MACCE comprises the TA quantized value.
 26. The device according to claim22, wherein the quantization precision of the TA quantized valuecomprises 1 Ts, 2 Ts, 4 Ts, or 8 Ts.
 27. The device according to claim22, wherein when executing programming instructions, the at least oneprocessor being instructed to: determine a transmission delay betweenthe UE and the device; and generate the TA quantized value according tothe transmission delay.
 28. The device according to claim 27, whereinwhen executing programming instructions, the at least one processorbeing instructed to: quantize the transmission delay by using thequantization precision, MTs, to obtain the quantized value of thetransmission delay, wherein the quantized value of the transmissiondelay is the TA quantized value.
 29. A non-transitory computer readablestorage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storagemedium stores a program which, when the program is executed by at leastone processor, the following steps are performed: receiving a timingadvance (TA) quantized value from a base station, wherein quantizationprecision of the TA quantized value is MTs, M is a positive integer lessthan 16, and Ts has a value of 1/30.72 μs; determining a transmissiontiming adjustment amount according to the TA quantized value; andperforming uplink transmission timing adjustment according to thetransmission timing adjustment amount.